rice

 
Pronunciation: /rʌɪs/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a swamp grass which is widely cultivated as a source of food, especially in Asia.
    • Oryza sativa, family Gramineae. African rice belongs to the related species O. glaberrima, whereas the so-called wild rice is not a true rice at all
  • the grains of rice used as food.
  • Rice provides the staple diet of half the world’s population and is second only to wheat in terms of total output. Rice seedlings are usually planted in flooded fields or paddies, so that terraces are necessary on hillsides and a reliable source of water is essential

verb

[with object] North American
  • force (cooked potatoes or other vegetables) through a sieve or ricer: (as adjective riced) riced boiled potatoes

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French ris, from Italian riso, from Greek oruza